Integrated Program in Neuroscience Home Page | Integrated Program in Neuroscience

NAME	STREAM	RESEARCH DESCRIPTION	LAB LOCATION
Andermann, Eva Email	Epilepsy Genetics	Genetics of the epilepsies and of various degenerative disorders, mental retardation syndromes, teratogenic effects of anticonvulsant medication.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Antel, Jack Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Neuro-Immune Interactions	Neuro-immunology, immune brain interactions, autoimmune demyelinating disease, biology of motor nerve cells.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Armony, Jorge Email	Cognitive Neuroscience	Neural bases of emotional processing and its interactions with other cognitive systems, such as attention, memory and decision-making. Studies are conducted in healthy individuals as well as in neurological and psychiatric populations using a variety of techniques, including functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging.
Arnold, Douglas Email	Imaging	MRI-advanced acquisition and analysis to understand multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.	Brain Imaging Center, MNI
Avoli, Massimo Email	Epilepsy	Electrophysiology of normal and diseased cortical neurons in vitro, corticothalamic and thalamocortical interactions.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Baker, Curtis Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Neural mechanisms underlying visual perception of figure-ground boundaries in natural images are studied using neurophysiological, optical imaging, psychophysical, and computational approaches	Royal Victoria Hospital
Barker, Phil Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Dr. Phil Barker studies cell surface receptors and signaling pathways that regulate life and death decisions in the nervous system and in cancer.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Bar-Or, Amit Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Clinical Neuroscience Neuro-Immune Interactions	Our laboratory at the MNI studies basic principles of human immune regulation amd immune-neural interactions, and how these relate to physiologic processes, injury and repair in the human central nervous system (CNS). Fundamental discoveries include elucidating basic mechanisms of antigen-specific T cell responses to the CNS, novel immune regulatory roles of B cell subsets in both health and disease, and molecular mechanisms underlying normal and pathologic interactions between immune cells and CNS glial cells and neurons. The prototypic human inflammatory CNS disease is multiple sclerosis (MS), though ongoing studies of immune-neural interaction are relevant to understanding mechanisms of CNS injury and repair, as well as potential to use immune responses therapeutically, in other common conditions such as CNS trauma and neurological degenerative diseases including ALS, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.	Neuroimmunology Unit
Bedford, Fiona Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Understanding molecular mechanisms used by neurons to control receptor localization and synapse stability. Focus on roles of intracellular trafficking pathways and regulated protein degradation in controlling both receptor localization and stability at inhibitory synapses.	Strathcona Building
Benkelfat, Chawki Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Dr. Benkelfat's groups uses PET to study schizophrenia, obsessive compusive disorder and depression in humans	Psychiatry Training Building
Bennett, Gary Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Pain Pathology	My research focuses on peripheral neuropathies and the neuropathic pain syndromes that accompany them. I use animal models of these conditions and do experiments designed to understand the underlying pathophysiology and experiments designed to discover new drugs to prevent nerve degeneration and pain. My recent focus has been on the painful peripheral neuropathies that are common side-effects of anti-cancer drugs. Methods include behavioral assays of pain sensitivity, light- and electron microscopy, studies of mitochondrial function, and electrophysiological recordings from single neurons.	Dept Anesthesia & Faculty of Dentistry
Bernasconi, Andrea Email Website Publications	Neurodevelopment-Epilepsy; Imaging	In the Neuroimaging of Epilepsy laboratory (located at the McConnell Brain Imaging Center of the Montreal Neurological Institute), we study causes and consequences of epilepsy using advanced MRI methods. Epilepsy comprises groups of syndromes with different causes. We are particularly interested in malformations of cortical development. The study of these disorders contributes greatly to the understanding of normal brain development (corticogenesis) and its perturbations. We use advanced morphometric (anatomical) and functional MRI (including resting-state fMRI) to assess cortical architecture, function (networks), and plasticity in a search for endophenotypes and biomarkers of epileptogenesis.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Bohbot, Véronique Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging	Interaction between memory systems, spatial memory and the parahippocampal cortex; experience dependent changes in medial temporal lobe activity; and time related changes in memory traces or consolidation.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Boivin, Diane Email Website Publications	Sleep and/or Circadian Rhythms	Expression of circadian clock genes in humans; Maladaptation to shift-work; Circadian basis of psychiatric disorders	Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Centre for Study and Treatment of Circadian Rhythms
Boksa, Patricia Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Dr. Boksa studies pregnancy and birth complications (C-section, perinatal hypoxia, maternal infection and fever during pregnancy) as risk factors for schizophrenia, using animal modeling.	Douglas Hospital
Bourque, Charles Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Central basis of body fluid homeostasis. We are interested in molecular, cellular and synaptic mechanisms of thermosensation, osmosensation, sodium detection and electrical signaling in central pathways that mediate thirst and vasopressin release.
Bowie, Derek Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Development and Plasticity	We use a combination of techniques to study ionotrophic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) at two inter-related levels. In molecular terms, we are examining the events that occur when iGluRs are activated and how these processes can be regulated. At the cellular level, we are studying the role that iGluRs fulfills in shaping the behavior of neuronal circuits, such as in the retina.	McIntyre Medical Building
Sharif Naeini, Reza Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Pain Pathology	We are interested in understanding the molecular bases of mechanotransduction, and the role of mechanosensory neurons in normal and pathological pain transmission. Mechanotransduction, the process through which cells convert a mechanical stimulus into an electrical signal, is of fundamental importance to physiological functions such as our senses of touch (including pain) and hearing, as well as our ability to regulate our hydromineral homeostasis (thirst), baroreflex function and myogenic tone (regulation of blood pressure). Mechanosensitive ion channels are membrane proteins responsible for most mechanotransduction processes, yet their molecular identity has not been fully resolved. Because these channels are involved in several pathologies of the nervous (chronic pain, deafness) and cardiovascular (hypertension) systems, the molecular identification of these channels, and understanding their activation properties may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies in several clinical areas. The projects in the lab focus on two areas of research: (1) Identification of the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal mechanotransduction. and (2) Identification of central (spinal cord) neuronal circuits engaged by mechanosensory afferents in control or during chronic pain conditions.	Physiology/Cell and Informations Systems
Brunet, Alain Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders	Investigating the neurobiological underpinnings (neuroendocrine aspects and neuroimaging) of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among newly traumatized adults followed longitudinally. Also, testing the efficacy of psychological interventions aimed at either preventing or treating PTSD.	Douglas Institute
Bushnell, Cathy Email	Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Human sensory testing and imaging of pain and analgesia. Rodent behavioral and brain imaging studies of pain processing. Studies of the effects of chronic pain on the brain.	Department of Anesthesia
Carbonetto, Salvatore Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Dr. Carbonetto undertakes cellular and molecular studies of muscular dystrophies associated with mental retardation and the function of the underlying proteins in synapse formation.	Montreal General Hospital
Cermakian, Nicolas Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Molecular mechanisms of circadian clocks. Our work has implications for the understanding and treatment of sleep and mood disorders. We use a combination of in vitro, cell culture, in vivo and behavioural approaches.	Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Cervero, Fernando Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Neural mechanisms of pain. Molecular, cellular and behavioral studies of the development of hyperalgesic states. Role of spinal presynaptic inhibition in pain processing. Peripheral and spinal mechanisms of visceral pain. Identification of new analgesic targets	Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain
Chertkow, Howard Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Neuropsychology of dementia, long-term memory,	Lady Davis Institute
Cloutier, Jean-Francois Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Development and Plasticity Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Dr. Jean-François Cloutier’s research is aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms that control axonal pathfinding during development of the nervous systems. The formation of accurate connections between the peripheral and central nervous systems is essential for the functioning of the various sensory systems that allow us to detect odors, sounds, tastes, pain, and temperature. While the basic anatomical principles of wiring in these systems are well understood, little is known about the mechanisms involved in establishing these wiring patterns. Dr.Cloutier uses a combination of in vivo mouse genetic models and molecular biological approaches to identify cues involved in guiding axons of primary sensory neurons to their targets and to characterize intracellular signals that function downstream of these axon guidance cues. Gaining insight into the basic mode of action of guidance molecules will be important in the future development of therapies for neurological disorders and injuries requiring regeneration of specific axonal connections.	MNI
Coderre, Terence Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Neurochemical, cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in spinal cord dorsal horn as it relates to the development of chronic pain. Contribution of excitatory amino acid receptors and neuropeptides to noxious stimulus-induced plasticity using behavioural, neuropharmacological, neurochemical and anatomical techniques. Development of animal models of chronic pain.	Anesthesia Research Unit/ MUHC Research Institute
Collins, Louis Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Imaging	Medical image processing (e.g., registration, segmentation, modeling) applied to image guided surgery and analysis applied to neurological diseases.	Depts. Biomedical Engineering and Neurology & Neurosurgery
Cuello, Claudio Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Neurodegenerative Disorders Aging	Our laboratory focuses in degenerative and regenerative processes in the CNS with particular emphasis on aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related studies. The group utilizes and develops transgenic animal models presenting features of the AD neuropathology. The research is of a multidisciplinary nature ranging from molecular approaches to whole animal experimentation and with a particular interest in cell and animal models of the Alzheimer’s disease and experimental therapeutics. Professor Cuello has been trained at the Universities of Buenos Aires (UBA, Argentina), U. C. San Francisco (USA) and Cambridge (England). He held research and academic positions in the Departments of Pharmacology at both Cambridge and Oxford. He is a past Chair of the McGill Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and presently holds the Charles E. Frosst Merck Chair within the same Department. He is also currently an Associate Member of the Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University, adjunct Professor of the Scripps Institute (LaJolla) and Visiting Professor at Oxford University.	Pharmacology & Therapeutics; Neurology & Neurosurgery (Associate Member)
Cullen, Kathy Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Multi-sensory processing, Monkey psychophysics, Neurophysiology of self motion perception, Neural mechanisms underlying suppression of active sensation: We study the i) neural processing of visual, proprioceptive and vestibular sensory information required to generate self-motion and orientation perception, and ii) the integration and transformation of multi-sensory information into commands for movement and perceptual decisions. Experimental and theoretical approaches are used including: behavioral analyses, single unit recordings, pathway identification and computational modeling in primate and mouse models.	Physiology
Dagher, Alain Email	Imaging Cognitive Neuroscience	Functional brian imaging of reward and appetite.	Montreal Neurological Institute
David, Samuel Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Neuro-Immune Interactions	CNS-regeneration/Neuron-glial interactions in vitro, glial differentiation.	Montreal General Hospital
Debruille, J. Bruno Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Schizophrenia, cognitive processes, semantics, high temporal resolution functional brain imaging: event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Focus on brain activities induced by socially meaningful stimuli, such as faces and words. Functional significance of the N400 potential and of the frontal positivity.	Psychiatry & Neurology / Douglas / Clinical Res unit
Descarries, Laurent Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Quantification de l'innervation cholinergique du cortex cérébral adulte et en développement. Localisation ultrastructurale des récepteurs de la sérotonine dans le système nerveux central.	Université de Montréal
Duncan, Gary Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Studies of the cerebral encoding of painful stimulation using neurophysiological, psychophysical and functional imaging (PET & MRI) techniques in conscious monkeys and human volunteers. Of special interest are neuronal mechanisms underlying emotional and sensory aspects of pain, behavioral modulation of pain perception and the influence of noxious stimuli on learning.	Université de Montréal
Durham, Heather Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Investigating mechanisms underlying motor neuron diseases and identifying therapeutic targets: We are using primary culture and transgenic mouse models of disease (ALS, Charcot-Marie-Tooth sensorimotor neuropathies, spinal bulbar muscular atrophy) to understand why motor neurons are particularly vulnerable, including the role of physiological stress, stress response pathways, and the differences in the way cells process misfolded proteins. In cultured motor neurons expressing disease-causing mutant proteins, microfluorometric imaging is used to monitor vital functions and protein aggregation, and to asses how potential therapeutic agents intervene in pathogenetic processes.	Neurology and Neurosurgery/MNI/Neuromuscular
Evans, Alan Email	Imaging	Study of functional neuroanatomy utilizing three-dimensional computer techniques.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Fellows, Lesley Rotation Program Email	Cognitive Neuroscience	Cognitive neuroscience, the neural bases of decision-making, reward processing, emotion regulation. Frontal lobe functions. Cognitive/behavioural neurology.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Flores, Cecilia Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Development and Plasticity Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders	Neuroadaptations induced by exposure to drugs and to stressors at different times in life, their underlying mechanisms, and their implications for psychopathology. Neuroanatomical, molecular and behavioral studies.	Psychiatry /Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Fon, Edward Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Molecular and cellular mechanisms of degeneration of dopamine neurons in Parkinson¹s Disease. We focus specifically on parkin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for the most common familial form of PD. We also have a more general interest the role of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway in signaling and synaptic transmission in the nervous system. We use molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology as well as transgenic and knockout mice.	MNI
Fournier, Alyson Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Molecular and cellular biology of neurite outgrowth and growth cone guidance. Inhibitory influences and regeneration in the CNS.	Neurology and Neurosurgery/MNI
Gauthier, Serge Email	Neurodegenerative Disorders Clinical Neuroscience	Therapeutic studies in Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. Biological markers of studies in abnormal aging.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Gotman, Jean Rotation Program Email	Epilepsy Imaging	EEG, source analysis and fMRI in epilepsy, localization in epileptic activity	Montreal Neurological Institute
Gratton, Alain Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Behavioural Neuroscience	The main focus of my research is on the brain circuitry that controls how we cope with stressors and its role in drug addiction. I am currently interested in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region that reaches its full development during late adolescence/early adulthood. This brain region controls several complexe tasks such as decision-making and planning and has been implicated in the compulsive behavior of drug addicts. In part because it matures slowly, the PFC is particularly vulnerable to insults which can cause it to develop abnormally and lead to maladaptive behavior. The PFC is also extremely sensitive to stressors and plays an important role in mounting the appropriate coping responses. The neurotransmitters, dopamine and glutamate, have been implicated in PFC-mediated coping responses to stressors and actions of addictive drugs. For our studies we use voltammetry and microsensors to monitor, in behaving rats, minute changes in dopamine and glutamate transmission on a second-to-second basis.	Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Grodzinsky, Yosef Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Relationship between neural tissue and language processing, with a focus on syntax. Investigations on brain/language relations are carried out in the neurolinguistics laboratory through lesion studies (focusing on impaired linguistic abilities of aphasic patients) and fMRI (monitoring BOLD responses during sentence comprehension in healthy adults).	McGill Linguistics Lab
Guitton, Daniel Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Control of eye and head movements, neural coding of visual target location, visuo-motor transformations, computational maps.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Haegert, David Email	Neuro-Immune Interactions	Multiple sclerosis: T-cell receptor, molecular immunological approaches.	Lyman Duff Building
Hamel, Edith Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Systems and Integrative Neuroscience Neurodegenerative Disorders Neuro-vascular coupling	The laboratory is interested on the impact of a deficient blood supply to the brain on the cognitive deficits seen in Alzheimer's disease. We use transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie cerebrovascular and cognitive deficits. We assess cerebral blood flow, memory and detect protein changes biochemically and morphologically. We also try to normalize the cerebrovascular and neuronal dysfunctions pharmacologically. Another important aspect of our research is to understand the cellular basis of brain imaging and, particularly, in conditions of neuronal activation that leads to increased cerebral metabolism and blood flow in very selective brain regions depending on the stimulus. These studies involve physiological or pharmacological stimulation, identification of the neuronal populations that are activated and determination of the mediators of the perfusion response. This is performed in physiological and pathological conditions.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Hastings, Ken Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Molecular biology of gene expression in muscle and nerve.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Hess, Robert Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Visual psychophysics and brain imaging of normal vision & amblyopia	Royal Victoria Hospital
Jones, Barbara Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Neuroanatomical and neurochemical substrates of the sleep-waking cycle.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Jones-Gotman, Marilyn Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Neuropsychological studies of learning, memory and other cognitive functions, including olfactory and gustatory processing (perception, memory, emotional responses to smells or tastes) using behavioral and brain activation tasks. Populations studied include patients with focal cortical lesions or resection and healthy volunteers.	MNI
Joober, Ridha Rotation Program Email	Clinical Neuroscience	Genetics pf psychiatric diseases, particulalry ADHD and Schizophrenia	Psychiatry, Neurology and Human Genetics
Kennedy, Tim Rotation Program Email	Development and Plasticity Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	We are interested in the signals that direct cells and axons to move, and once they reach their goal, the target derived signals that instruct them to stop and make connections. Groups within the lab are investigating the biochemical mechanisms that direct axon extension, oligodendrocyte precursor migration, myelination, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity. These studies aim to identify fundamental mechanisms directing neural development. Understanding these mechanisms will facilitate the development of new therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, and promoting recovery of function in the CNS following injury.	Neurology and Neurosurgery / Montreal Neurological Insitute / Centre for Neuronal Survival
Kingdom, Fred Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Human visual processing of colour, shape, texture and transparency	Royal Victoria Hospital
Klein, Denise Rotation Program Email	Cognitive Neuroscience Clinical Neuroscience	The neural substrates of unilingual and bilingual speech processing: Cross-linguistic studies of tone perception; Articulatory processes involved in speaking native and second languages; Investigation of the neural substrates of language in patients with typical and atypical patterns of hemispheric dominance for language and with different types of brain lesions; Cross-validation studies of fMRI and PET for language tasks in normal volunteer subjects and patients.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Lachapelle, Pierre Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Visual neuroscience, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, retinopathies, human subjects, animal models.	Ophthalmology, Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute
Leblanc, Andrea Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Investigating the cause of Alzheimer disease by assessing molecular mechanisms of stress in primary human neuronal cultures and confirming the absence of presence of these mechanisms in human Alzheimer disease brains. Positive results are followed in vitro and in vivo (cells and animals) to determine pathways involved. We also work on understanding the role of prion protein in cellular survival and in prion diseases.	Lady Davis Institute
Leonard, Gabriel Email	Cognitive Neuroscience	Neuropsychology: role of human frontal lobes in the encoding of kinaesthetic information and in monitoring motor output. Frontal lobe contribution to manual and bimanual coordination.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Lepage, Martin Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Imaging	Aims to further our understanding of the anatomical and neurophysiological basis of memory in humans. Using fMRI to study normal memory functions in healthy subjects and memory deficits in patients with schizophrenia.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Levin, Mindy Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Research focuses on the mechanisms underlying motor deficits after brain lesions as well as those governing motor recovery and motor learning related to upper limb function (reaching and grasping). Research encompasses patients with neurological deficits related to stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's Disease, vestibular deficency. Preference given to individuals with clinical or professional backgrounds.	School of Physical and Occupational Therapy
Leyton, Marco Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Imaging	Role of dopamine and serotonin in drug abuse by humans. The studies use two main methods: (1) PET imaging to measure the effects of drugs in brain, and (2) neurotransmitter depletion, to measure the behavioural and subjective effects of preventing drug-induced activations.	Psychiatry Training Building
Luheshi, Giamal Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience Neuro-Immune Interactions	The research focus of our laboratory is studying the influence of the peripheral immune system on brain mechanisms regulating the response to systemic infection or inflammation. In particular we are interested in the role of the immune mediators cytokines and more recently adipokines such as the appetite regulating peptide leptin. The work on adipokines in particular has led us to explore the link between the energy status of an individual and their ability to mount an immune response to pathogens. These studies involve using models of food deprivation and obesity, which exhibit a dysfunctional immune response through largely unknown mechanisms, but most likely involve changes in circulating adipokine levels. In parallel to this work we are in addition studying the effects of the maternal immune system activated by pathogenic inflammatory stimuli during critical stages of pregnancy on the normal development of the fetal brain. This work was based on the rationale that dysegulation of the mother’s immune response, known to occur during pregnancy (a state that involves programmed obesity), can result in developmental defects of the fetal brain, leading to brain disorders such as schizophrenia in the adult off-spring. "	Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Mcpherson, Peter Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	The laboratory of Dr. Peter S. McPherson, James McGill Professor uses biochemical, molecular, structural and cellular approaches to identify and functionally characterize proteins that function in the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs). CCVs are the major vehicles for endocytic uptake of multiple protein and lipid cargo including nutrient and signaling receptors. Moreover, neurons depend on CCVs for the reformation of synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic nerve terminal following neurotransmitter release. A number of proteins that Dr. McPherson has identified and shown to function in clathrin-mediated trafficking have been linked to neurological diseases including schizophrenia, Huntington's disease, hereditary spastic paraplegias, cerebellar ataxias and autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS). Understanding the cell biological basis of neurological disease is a major focus of the laboratory.	MNI
Meaney, Michael Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Neuroendocrinology	Neural basis for individual differences in endocrine responses to stress; developmental regulation and implications for brain aging.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Milner, Brenda Email	Cognitive Neuroscience	Neuropsychology: specialization and interaction of the cerebral hemispheres. Temporal lobes and memory, frontal lobes and the organization of behaviour.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Mullen, Kathy T. Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Dr Mullen uses behavioural (psychohysical) and fMRI imaging techniques to investigate how the human brain sees colour information in the visual scene.	McGill Vision Research Unit/Ophthalmology
Murai, Keith Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	See webpage for details	Centre for Research in Neuroscience
Nalbantoglu, Josephine Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Regulation of gene expression in neural cells and brain tumours. Function of the adhesion molecule CAR in cell migration, cancer metastasis and normal development	Montreal Neurological Institute
Olivier, André Email	Epilepsy Clinical Neuroscience	Surgery of epilepsy, investigation of epileptic patients with stereotaxic intracerebral electrodes, neuroanatomy – basal ganglia and limbic system. Experimental epilepsy. Radiosurgery of AVM and brain tumours.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Overbury, Olga Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Sensory assessment or residual vision, visual impairment, age-related visual disorders, vision rehabilitation, perceptual training, psychosocial issues related to vision loss.	Lady Davis Institute
Pack, Christopher Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	We study the brain mechanisms underlying visual perception and visually guided action. Techniques include neurophysiology, psychophysics, and transcranial magnetic stimulation, with an emphasis on quantitative models of brain function. The long-term goal of our work is to understand the relationship between neuronal activity and conscious visual perception.	MNI
Paudel, Hemant Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Molecular and cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease neurofibillary tangle formation. Regulation of tau protein phosphorylation; molecular mechanism of Parkinson disease with focus on the structure, function and aggregation of alpha Synuclein. Role of protein phosphorylation in various neurological disorders.	Lady Davis Institute
Peterson, Alan Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Mammalian developmental genetics, mutants, mouse chimaeras and transgenes expressed in the nervous system.	Royal Victoria Hospital
Petrides, Michael Email	Cognitive Neuroscience	Neuropsychology: functions of the frontal temporal and parietal neocortex and related subcortical structures in humans and other animals.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Pike, Bruce Email Website Publications	Imaging	Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methodology development and neuroscientific applications. Current projects include: novel functional MRI (fMRI) methods development; fMRI based investigation of neuronal activation physiology; quantitative cerebral blood flow imaging; quantitative magnetization transfer imaging for multiple sclerosis pathology evaluation, MRI stimulation.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Poirier, Judes Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Neurodegenerative Disorders Aging	Our unit focuses on the role of specific genetic risk factors involved in a) onset, b)progression and c) drug response in common Alzheimer'disease. Using molecular and cellular tools, we are dissecting the neurobiology of core genes involved in both, brain repair and neurodegenerative processes typically found in dementing illnesses and in common Parkinson's disease.	Douglas Mental Health Institute
Pruessner, Jens Rotation Program Email	Neuroendocrinology Aging	Behavioural, anatomical and functional correlates of acute and chronic stress across the life-span.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Ptito, Alain Email	Cognitive Neuroscience	Investigations involving the fundamental mechanisms of vision. Study of phenomena such as “blindsight” in hemicorticectomized subjects. Study of the critical cerebral regions implicated in stereopsis and in localizing objects in space. PET, fMRI, as well as the behavioural aspect, is being used in these studies; neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies of concussed athletes and subjects with mild head injury as well as motor learning and rehabilitation of stroke patients.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Balaban, Evan Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Study the development and evolution of systems brain activity in embryos, the onset of integrated sensory and cognitive processing, the effects of premature birth and premature sensory stimulation on brain development and cognitive function, and the development of sleep-waking states. Also conduct studies on neural correlates of human auditory perception.	Psychology Department/Behavioral Neuroscience
Ragsdale, David Email Website Publications	Epilepsy	Analysis of membrane ion channels using molecular biological and electrophysiological techniques.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Rao, Yong Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Development and Plasticity	The molecular mechanism underlying the formation of precise neuronal connections during embryonic development. Using a combination of molecular and genetic approaches, we have identified several important genes required for axonal guidance and target selection. Our current focus is on investigating the molecular mechanisms by which these genes regulate axonal projections.	Montreal General Hospital
Rosenblatt, Bernard Email	Clinical Neuroscience	Child neurology, electroencephalography and auditory evoked responses.	Montreal Children’s Hospital
Ruthazer, Edward Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Development and PlasticityCell and Molecular Neurobiology	In vivo 2-photon time lapse imaging and electrophysiology in the developing visual system. Role of experience and molecular cues in activity-dependent circuit refinement. LTD and LTP as mechanisms that shape circuit connectivity during development. Neuron-glia interactions in circuit development. Zebrafish, Xenopus, mouse and rat models.
Sadikot, Abbas Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Neurological diseases affecting the limbic system and basal ganglia. Neuroanatomical and neurochemical approaches to Parkinson’s Disease. Neuronal survival and cell death. Transplantation approaches for neurodegenerative disease. Neurotrophic factors; basic mechanisms of central nervous system development. Electron microscopy/immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Schipper, Hyman Email Website Publications	Neurodegenerative Disorders Aging	Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Brain aging, neurodegenerative disease, neuropathology, astrocyte biology, brain iron metabolism, oxidative stress, antioxidant therapy, cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, proteomics	Neurology/Lady Davis Institute/Jewish General Hospital
Séguéla, Philippe Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Molecular and cellular basis of neuronal excitability in chronic pain. Molecular and cellular basis of working memory. Structure of receptor-channels mediating fast purinergic transmission. Methodology: molecular biology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, ion imaging.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Shevell, Michael Email	Clinical Neuroscience	Study of childhood developmental disability. Areas of active research interest include: a) causes of childhood developmental disability, b) delineation of new subtypes of childhood developmental delay, c) outcomes of children at high-risk for neurodevelopmental sequela, d) developmental delay, and e) ethical and historical issues related to the care provided to children with developmental delay. The research pursued is often inter-disciplinary in scope and collaboration, and is at all times pragmatic and clinically relevant.	Montreal Children’s Hospital
Shoubridge, Eric Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Genetics	Biochemistry and molecular genetics of mitochondrial disease and control of phenotypic expression in skeletal muscle. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance studies of metabolic regulation in cultured cells and in vivo systems.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Pompeiano, Maria Email Website Publications	Sleep and/or Circadian Rhythms	We are studying the development of the sleep-waking cycle and we use the chick embryo as a model. We are now focussing on the role of different neurotransmitter systems in the appearance of different arousal states.	Psychology
Sossin, Wayne Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Development and Plasticity	We are interested in defining the molecular memory trace; the physical events that occur in neurons when memories occur. Wefocus on the role of persistent protein kinases and translational control of targeted mRNAs as keys in defining molecular memory traces.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Srivastava, Lalit K. Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Neurobiology of schizophrenia. Role of candidate genes in susceptibility to schizophrenia. Molecular and behavioral characterization of neurodevelopmental and gene based animal models of schizophrenia. Role of presynaptic genes and proteins in the action of psychostimulant drugs.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Stifani, Stefano Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Research in the Stifani laboratory aims at elucidating the events that regulate the generation of nerve cells from pluripotent neural stem/progenitor cells. They seek to clarify the mechanisms that control normal mammalian nervous system development in order to understand how to promote neural regeneration and repair in response to disease or trauma. More specifically, the Stifani laboratory aims at characterizing the mechanisms that regulate: 1) The generation of neuronal or glial cells from undifferentiated, pluripotent neural progenitor/stem cells; 2) The generation of specific subtypes of neuronal cells at the correct time and place." 86 "Molecular and cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease neurofibillary tangle formation. Regulation of tau protein phosphorylation; molecular mechanism of Parkinson disease with focus on the structure, function and aggregation of alpha Synuclein. Role of protein phosphorylation in various neurological disorders."	Montreal Neurological Institute
Sziklas, Viviane Email	Cognitive Neuroscience	Neural basis of learning and memory. Using animal models to study the effects of lesions to the extended hippocampal system on several types of spatial learning. A second program involves the study of the neural correlates of cognitive processing (including verbal and nonverbal memory) in epilepsy.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Tannenbaum, Gloria Email	Neuroendocrinology	Signal transduction, learning and memory, protein kinases, and translation.	Montreal Children’s Hospital
Turecki, Gustavo Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Genetics	The Turecki lab's main interest is the understanding of molecular and cellular changes associated with major depressive disorder. In particular, Dr. Turecki's research investigates the role of gene structure, gene function and gene regulation in the brain of individuals who were depressed and died by suicide.	Psychiatry/Douglas Mental Health Institute
Van Meyel, Donald Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Development and Plasticity	Genetic analysis of nervous system development: 1) neuron-glial interactions and 2) the patterned growth and guidance of axons and dendrites.	Centre for Research in Neuroscience
Walker, Dominique Rotation Program Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Long-term effects of exposure to early stress on brain development and function. Molecular and cellular processes related to stress. Maternal effects on the offspring. Behavioral and molecular analysis. Early pain, brain morphology and behavior. Animal imaging. Developmental neuroendocrinology.	Dept Psychiatry/Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Williams, Sylvain Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Learning and memory, complete hippocampus in vitro, brain rhythms, cellular and molecular techniques, pharmacology, electrophysiology of normal or schizophrenia and Alzheimer animal models.	Neurology and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Douglas Institute, Neuroscience
Wolfson, Christina Rotation Program Email	Neuroepidemiology Population Health	Neuroepidemiology; Etiology and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases (MS, PD, AD, ALS)	Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health
Zatorre, Robert Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience Cognitive Neuroscience	Behavioral and functional neuroimaging studies of complex auditory processes including speech and music. Structural neuroimaging of auditory cortex and related structures. Functional plasticity and reorganization. Multimodal processing.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Chen, Brian Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	I am interested in understanding how neurons make synaptic partnering decisions to form functioning neural circuits. The instructions on how to build a brain are essentially written within the genome, and my research involves uncovering molecules used to guide neurons into hard-wired circuits for innate behaviours, and deciphering rules governing circuit formation during acquired behaviours. To uncover the different molecules and strategies used to assemble neural circuits, I combine high-resolution imaging techniques with advanced molecular genetics in different model systems to look inside living animals while their neurons form synapses.	Neurology/RI-MUHC/Centre for Research in Neuroscience
Raz, Amir Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Please see websites:Psychology: http://www.psych.mcgill.ca/faculty/raz.html MNI: http://www2.bic.mni.mcgill.ca/research/people/affiliates/profile_amiraz000 Transcultural Psychiatry: http://www.mcgill.ca/tcpsych/publications/faculty/raz	Psychiatry
Plourde, Gilles Email	Clinical Neuroscience	Dept. of anesthesia, Montreal Neurological Hospital 3801 University St., Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4 Phone: 514-398-1917 Fax: 514-398-1352 Pager: 514-406-0484 *******************	Montreal Neurological Institute
Nader, Karim Email	Behavioural Neuroscience Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Professor Nader is interested in understanding what are the neurobiological processes involved in acquiring and storing motional memories, with specific emphasis on fear. One of the main thrusts of the lab is the study of memory reconsolidation. When a memory is retrieved, it is transformed into a vulnerable state in which it can be lost, changed or strengthened depending on the experimental manipulation. He asks questions at the behavioral, physiological and molecular levels of analysis	Psychology Department
Thiel, Alexander Email	Clinical Neuroscience	At the LDI and JGH Dr. Thiel is the director of the neuroplasticity research program and the JGH stroke program. His research aims at defining predictors for successful post-stroke recover. For this purpose morphological markers, molecular markers and electrophysiological markers of cortical and subcortical neuroplasticity are studied longitudinally in stroke patients and animal models using functional and morphological MR-imaging, PET and transcranial magnetic stimulation.	Neurology Jewish General Hospital/ Lady Davis Institute
Gruber, Reut Email	Behavioural Neuroscience	PhD Clinical Psychologist	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Koski, Lisa Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience Clinical Neuroscience	Neurorehabilitation; Transcranial magnetic stimulation	Experimental Medicine
Almazan, Guillermina Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Molecular Neuropharmacology Signal transduction: Our research is focused on the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating growth, survival and differentiation of myelinating glial cells (oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells). Damage to oligodendrocytes or their progenitor cells results in neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis and periventricular leukomalacia. Thus, increasing our knowledge of mechanisms that regulate and maintain myelination appears to be of paramount importance for understanding these debilitating diseases.	McIntyre Medical Building
Shmuel, Amir Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Our lab focuses on two goals. The first is to understand the relationship between functional brain imaging signals and the underlying neuronal activity. The second is to elucidate the principles and processes used by the cerebral cortex to analyze visual information and to create coherent visual perception, with emphasis on understanding interactions between visual areas. The lab employs an integrative approach using a combination of techniques, including fMRI, optical imaging using voltage sensitive dyes, multi-channel neurophysiological recordings and inactivation methods.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Stone, Laura Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	My research program is focused on the neurobiology and treatment of chronic pain. We are a) examining the mechanisms underlying the synergistic interaction observed between analgesic drugs that target G-protein coupled receptors; b) studying the etiology of chronic low back pain. We use a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates a broad range of methods including in vivo behavior, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry, proteomics, and MRI.	Faculty of Dentistry, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain
Wong, Takpan Email	Development and Plasticity Development and Plasticity	Molecular mechanism of synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, stress.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Breitner, John Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neurodegenerative Disorders	Dr. Breitner's career has been devoted to finding factors that modify the risk of Alzhiemer's disease. Surprisingly, most such "risk factors" have in fact appeared to diminsh rates of AD. Accordingly, simulating the effects of these factors might provide pathways to the prevention of AD. The Centre for Studies on Prevention of AD (StoP-AD), which Dr. Breitner directs, was therefore established to evaluate whether these sorts of treatments can reduce chemical or neuroimaging biomarkers that may trace the development of AD in its pre-symptomatic stages. The Centre is establising a research cohort of cognitively normal elderly persons who are nonetheless at risk of AD because of their family history. These persons will be enrolled in several small randomized controlled trials using both cognitive and biomarker endpoints. The research therefore includes elements that are both clinical (evaluation of the cohort over time) and laboratory-based (study of biomarkers including neuro-imaging endpoints, and their implications for mechanisms of disease pathogenesis).	Psychiatry/Douglas Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Studies on Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease
Bertone, Armando Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience Autism Development Neuropsychology	Interests : perception and cognition in autism, visual and auditory perception during typical and atypical development, multisensory integration, learning, neuropsychology	Education & Counselling Psychology, McGill University
Sakata, Jon Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	My lab uses behavioral, neurophysiological, and molecular methods to investigate the mechanisms underlying vocal learning and memory. For this, I use songbirds as my model system. Songbirds, like humans, learn their vocalizations during development and use vocal signals during social interactions as adults. Experiments in my lab are focused on revealing the neural circuits that regulate vocal learning, plasticity, and control.	Biology
Beaulieu, Serge Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Areas of Expertise Bipolar disorder, psychopharmacology, stress, depression, neuroendocrinology Profile After completing a post-doctoral research fellowship training at the Biological Psychiatry Branch of the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD, USA) with Robert M. Post, MD, Serge Beaulieu, MD, PhD, FRCPC, joined the Douglas Institute in 1997 and assumed the post of director of the Mood Disorders Programs. At McGill University, he is an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and an associate member of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery. A psychiatrist and researcher-clinician, Serge Beaulieu is interested primarily in bipolar disorders (manic depressive illness) and major depression. He studies neurobiological responses to antidepressant and mood stabilizer treatment and potential new treatments for these disorders. Serge Beaulieu has received diverse peer-reviewed research funding from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders (NARSAD, USA), the Stanley Foundation (USA), the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ), the Canadian Fund for Innovation (CFI) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). He is a member of the board of governors of the Canadian Network on Mood and Anxiety Treatment (CANMAT), a member of the Board of Councilors of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) and one of the investigators and founding members of the Canadian Bipolar Consortium. Awards and Distinctions Serge Beaulieu is the recipient of the 2004 Douglas Utting Prize, awarded annually to one individual in Canada who has contributed significantly to promote research and treatment on depression and awareness of depression.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Bedell, Barry Email Website Publications	Imaging Neurodegenerative Disorders	The Neuro Team Barry Bedell, M.D., Ph.D Barry Bedell Dr. Barry Bedell joined the faculty at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital in July 2006 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University. He is the first recruit to accept a position as part of the Montreal Consortium for Brain Imaging Research (MCBIR) initiative, which is a partnership between the MNI, McGill, the Douglas Hospital Research Centre and the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital. A native of New Jersey, Dr. Bedell holds a B.S. (Chemistry) from Lehigh University (1992) and a Ph.D. in Medical Physics (1996) from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He obtained his M.D.C.M. from McGill University in 2001. While pursing his medical degree and completing his residency in pathology, Dr. Bedell conducted research with Dr. Alan Evans and colleagues in the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre. Dr. Bedell will lead the effort to develop the animal imaging research program which will be housed in the new addition to the BIC in The Neuro's North Wing. His current research program is the development of an Integrated Technology Platform (ITP), which integrates MRI/PET imaging, histopathological, and molecular studies in animal models of Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and brain tumours. As part of this multi-disciplinary research, Dr. Bedell has recently established a state-of-the-art experimental neuropathology facility which focuses on high-throughput production of quantitative data from tissue sections and seamless integrates with the animal imaging activities.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Fombonne, Eric Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Research has relied on the use of epidemiological methods to understand child psychopathology, with particular reference to two disorders: autism and juvenile depression. In autism, several epidemiological surveys have been conducted and investigations of hypotheses about secular changes in the incidence of the disorder and about the putative role of immunizations as risk factors of autism have been performed. Family, adoption and molecular genetic studies are conducted. Studies of the role of environmental risk factors are also pursued. We direct a strategic training program to autism research across Canadian universities. Other work involves long term outcome studies of juvenile depression, studies of suicidal behaviors and of drug misuse in adolescents. Keywords Autism, epidemiology, depression, family studies, longitudinal studies, psychopathology Selected Publications Fombonne E, Chakrabarti S. No evidence for a new variant of Measles-Mumps-Rubella-induced autism. Pediatrics 2001; 108: e58. Chakrabarti S, Fombonne E. Pervasive developmental disorders in preschool children. (JAMA) 2001; 285: 3093-3099. Fombonne E, Wostear G, Cooper V, Harrington R, Rutter M. The Maudsley long-term follow-up study of adolescent depression. I. Adult rates of psychiatric disorders. British Journal of Psychiatry 2001; 179: 210-217.
Ernst, Carl Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders	My lab is interested in the genetics underlying human behavior and how variation in the genome alters these behaviors. We identify rare mutations that associate with psychiatric disease and study these disorders using patient-derived stem cells. Trainees can expect to gain expertise in stem cell biology, bioinformatics, or genetics.
Gracco, Vincent Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Research focuses on the neural and sensorimotor mechanisms of spoken language production, perception and their interaction using a variety of techniques including functional and structural neuroimaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroencephalography, auditory and somatosensory perturbation, electromyography and kinematics. We are also studying neurobehavioral changes associated with speech motor learning and speech motor disorders. mechanisms of spoken language production, perception and their interaction using a variety of techniques including functional and structural neuroimaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroencephalog	Communication Sciences & Disorders/ Centre for Research on Language, Mind and Brain
McKinney, Anne Rotation Program Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Development and Plasticity	Research Description: Dr R Anne McKinney obtained her Ph.D, at the University of Ulster in 1992 after completing her BSc.(Hons)undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. She then spent the next 5 years in the Department of Neurophysiology at the Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich as a postdoctoral fellow under the supervision of Profs S.M. Thompson and B.H Gähwiler. In 1998 she obtained her own group at the Brain Research Institute University of Zurich. Dr McKinney has recently joined the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Dr. McKinneys principle research interest is the mechanisms involved in development and maintenance of excitatory synapses in the CNS, during physiological and pathological conditions, such as epilepsy and mental retardation. The synaptogenesis and maintenance of synaptic structures, key issues in neuroscience, are still poorly understood despite intensive research efforts. Her group’s studies are concentrated on the hippocampus a brain region thought to be involved in learning and memory. The McKinney lab is using a combination of techniques including, 4-dimensional confocal laser scanning microscopy, analysis of receptor subtype localization using serial electron microscopy, transgenic animals and advanced electrophysiological techniques to investigate the structure and function of dendritic spines and their synapses. These methods allows them assess the structural basis of synaptic function using multiple approaches.	McIntyre Medical Building
Mechawar, Naguib Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Areas of Expertise Neuroanatomy of mood disorders and suicide; central cholinergic systems; adult brain neurogenesis Profile Suicide represents a major scourge in our society, accounting for 2% of annual deaths in Canada. Naguib Mechawar, who joined the Douglas Institute as a researcher in 2007, is mainly interested in identifying the neurochemical and neuroanatomical properties underlying major depression and suicidal behaviors in the human brain. As such, he is a member of the McGill Group for Suicide Studies. Naguib Mechawar has also been studying the brain’s cholinergic neurons for the past ten years. He has described the growth and fine structure of these neurons, as well as their implication in adult brain neurogenesis. A related project currently under way in his laboratory is aimed at defining the long-term effects, on brain and behavior, of nicotine exposure during development. With the well-established and widely publicized adverse consequences of smoking during pregnancy, smoking cessation methods such as the use of nicotine patches have recently gained in popularity among pregnant women. However, little is known about the long-term impact of nicotine replacement on developing brain connections, and particularly on those which are known to be vulnerable to nicotine in the adult. Recent awards 2008-2012: FRSQ Chercheur-boursier award	Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Petrecca, Kevin Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Kevin Petrecca, MD, PhD, FRCS(C) Dr. Kevin Petrecca, Neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University’s Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), specializes in neurosurgical oncology. His research at the Brain Tumor Research Centre in the MNI focuses on understanding fundamental molecular mechanisms that regulate cell motility with a focus on malignant glial cell invasion. Dr. Petrecca has established a number of important collaborative projects with MNI colleagues. Together with Dr. Barry Bedell, who oversees the animal MRI and PET scanners, Dr. Petrecca is developing a multidisciplinary approach to study animal models of glioma invasion. They are also developing imaging platforms to evaluate therapeutic strategies aimed at inhibiting glial cell invasion.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Rajah, Natasha Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory and Aging	M. Natasha Rajah, PhD The lab's research is focused on using functional neuroimaging techniques to examine the neural substrates of learning and memory in healthy young adults, and to understand how normal aging and various forms of dementia affect these substrates and mnemonic abilities. Research Projects IDissociating regional changes in prefrontal cortex structure and function that impact memory performance with normal aging. Funding: Fond de la Recherche en Santé du Québec (FRSQ) and CIHR Institute of Aging Period: 2006-2011 It is hypothesized that age-related deficits in different types of memory are due to age-related changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) function. Functional neuroimaging studies have suggested that the human PFC is not functionally homogeneous, and that with age there may be regional differences in PFC decline. Therefore, to understand how age-related deficits in memory relate to deficits in PFC function, one must examine region-specific changes in PFC structure and function that correlate with performance deficits on memory tasks. The objective of the project is to identify region-specific, age-related changes in PFC structure and function that cause memory deficits. Results from this study will lead to the development of targeted neuro-cognitive rehabilitation methods for treating early signs of memory deficits in older adults prior to the onset of dementia. Investigating prefrontal contributions to source and temporal order memory for faces and words. Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Period: 2006-20011 The prefrontal cortex (PFC) comprises most of the human frontal lobes and is known to be important for mediating higher cognitive functions that differentiate human beings from other primates. One such higher cognitive function is the ability to encode and recollect highly detailed accounts of our past personal experiences: this is referred to as episodic memory (EM). Neuroimaging studies have identified regional differences in PFC involvement during the retrieval of different types of memory. However, debate continues over which cognitive processes these distinct PFC regions facilitate, and whether these processes are EM-specific in nature or are related to more general cognitive control, or 'executive' processes, such as monitoring, response selection and strategic organization. The objective of the project is to investigate the region-specific contributions of PFC to EM retrieval. Event-related fMRI will allow the lab to examine regional PFC activity as healthy adult volunteers perform different memory tasks for faces. Results from this research will help determine whether there are subregions of the PFC that are differentially related to the aforementioned executive processes, consistently, across episodic memory tasks and across various levels of task difficulty. Structural equation modeling and functional connectivity analyses of prefrontal and medial temporal cortex interaction during episodic learning and memory for visual stimuli Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Period: 2006-2011 Multivariate statistical techniques allow one to examine the patterns of task and behaviour-related whole-brain activity and interactivity, respectively. This affords identification of large-scale neural networks engaged while subjects perform various experimental tasks. This project will employ structural equation modeling, spatio-temporal partial least squares analysis and simple functional connectivity analyses to identify the neural networks engaged during episodic encoding and retrieval for item versus context memory tasks. The objective of the project is to determine, using event-related fMRI measures and multivariate statistical analyses, trial-by-trial differences in the pattern of interactions between prefrontal and medial temporal cortices, when subjects correctly vs. incorrectly recollect item, source and temporal order information about past personal experiences. Both subsequent memory analyses will be examined to see how encoding activity relates to subsequent retrieval, and retrieval analysis will be examined to understand the neural interactions involved during active recollection.
Schirrmacher, Ralf Email Website Publications	Imaging	The Power of Positron Thinking You can get a peek inside the body with something called positron emission tomography (PET), which creates 3D images of the body by injecting radioactive isotopes, called radiopharmaceuticals, into the people being examined. These radiopharmaceuticals produce positrons that can be used to map out parts of the body, so that we can spot tumours, for example, or track the brain’s biochemistry as it copes with such conditions as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Until now, though, it has been very hard to make these radiopharmaceuticals. And the most useful radioactive isotope, fluorine-18, is one of the hardest to make of all. However, Dr. Ralf Schirrmacher, Canada Research Chair in Synthesis of Novel Radiopharmaceuticals for Positron Emission Tomography in Neurology and Oncology, has found a new procedure, based on the chemical bond between silicon and fluorine-18, that makes it easier to use fluorine-18 to get images of tumours. And if fluorine-18 is easier to use, then so is PET, which means that this imaging system could be available to more people, helping them treat or avoid serious illnesses.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Schweinhardt, Petra Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	My research in aimed at at gaining a better understanding of the cerebral mechanisms of pain and pain modulation in health and disease, using neuropsychopharmacological and brain imaging techniques. I am particularly interested in the alterations that occur in the central nervous system of chronic pain patients; how these alterations interact with endogenous pain facilitatory or inhibitory circuitry and consequently contribute to the generation and maintenance of chronic pain.	Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain
Sinclair, David Email	Clinical Neuroscience		Montreal Neurological Institute
Giros, Bruno Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Role of Dopamine in cognitive deficits and psychiatric disorders, with focus on Schizophrenia	Dpt of Psychiatry - Douglas research Center
Haghighi, Pejmun Email Website Publications	Development and Plasticity	We are interested in understanding the basic molecular mechanisms that regulate synaptic growth, function and plasticity, and how these mechanisms are affected in disease states. For this, we combine genetic and molecular tools with imaging and electrophysiological techniques at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.	Physiology/Bellini Life Sciences
Stellwagen, David Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Development and Plasticity Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	TNFalpha-mediated homestatic synaptic plasticity and it's contribution to behaviour and disease	Montreal General Hospital
Gold, Ian Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders Neurophilosophy	Delusions in psychiatric and neurological illness; neurophilosophy.	Psychiatry and Philosophy
Taivassalo, Tanja Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience
Baum, Shari Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Research focuses on the neural bases of speech and language processing through studies of individuals with focal brain lesions, functional neuroimaging, and electrophysiological measures. Specific interests in speech prosody, speech motor control, lexical and sentence processing.	Communication Sciences & Disorders/Centre for Research on Language, Mind & Brain
Bernard, Daniel Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neuroendocrinology	Our lab investigates mechanisms controlling reproductive physiology at the hypothalamic and pituitary levels.	Pharmacology and Therapeutics/Faculty of Medicine
Goto, Yukiori Rotation Program Email	Neurobiology of Disease and Affective Disorders	Neurodevelopmental investigation of animal models of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, and ADHD with multidisciplinary approaches using molecular genetic, biochemical, histological, electrophysiological, and psychopharmacological technieuqes.	Psychiatry
Juncker, David Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neuroengineering	Micro and Nanobioengineering for local microenvironment control, neuronal navigation and regeneration, single cell measurements	Biomedical Engineering / McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre
Ladbon Bernasconi, Neda Email Website Publications	Neurobiology of Epilepsy; Imaging	At the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre of the Montreal Neurological Institute, we are interested in better neuroscientific understanding and treatment of epilepsy, particularly forms involving the limbic system. Our work includes the assessment of structural and functional brain connectivity using covariance methods and graph-theory. In addition we model brain lesions to search for biomarkers of epileptogenicity using advanced imaging and statistics. We are interested in tracking disease progression and its consequences on brain plasticity, connectivity and cognition.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Lamontagne, Anouk Email	Clinical Neuroscience	Rehabilitation, Visuomotor control of locomotion, Locomotor disorders post-stroke, Sensorimotor Integration, Optic flow, Virtual Reality, Motor control, Biomechanics	School of Physical and Occupational Therapy & Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital Research Centre
Grova, Christophe Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Epilepsy Imaging	Being affiliated to both Biomedical Engineering and Neurology and Neurosurgery Departments, Dr. Grova investigates the integration of multimodal functional data to study brain mechanisms at the time of epileptic activity. His research project aims at combining multimodal data in order to detect additional information that could be missed by considering each modality individually. His project involves the integration of three promising functional modalities: (1) Simultaneous ElectroEncephaloGraphy (EEG) - MagnetoEncephaloGraphy (MEG) acquisitions, measuring directly on the scalp electric and magnetic components of epileptic signals generated by neurons synchronously active (at a ms scale). Source localization procedure is then required to localize the generators of these discharges within the brain. (2) Simultaneous EEG - functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging fMRI acquisitions to measure, within the whole brain at a second scale, hemodynamic responses that correlate with epileptic discharges detected on scalp EEG. (3) Simultaneous EEG - Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) acquisitions to measure local changes in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin at the time of epileptic discharges detected on scalp EEG, by exploiting absorption properties of infrared light within brain tissues using optic fibres placed on the surface of the head. The comparison of EEG/fMRI and EEG/NIRS offers a unique way to address in vivo the question of the integrity of the neurovascular coupling in the epileptic brain. In addition of studying brain mechanisms at the time of epileptic discharges, Dr. Grova is currently applying similar methodologies to study resting state functional connectivity in epilepsy patients.
El Mestikawy, Salah Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Preclinical neuroscience	Glutamatergic transmission in normal and pathological condition. From molecular to integrated aspects. Animals an human studies. Methods : anatomy, biochemistry, electrophysiology, live imaging, behavior.	Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Clarke, Paul Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Behavioural Neuroscience	My lab is mainly interested in the behavioural functions of dopaminergically-innervated forebrain areas in relation to behaviour (e.g. motivation, reinforcement, and nicotine and psychostimulant addiction). We hypothesize that dopamine may serve several different functions, depending critically on the brain area in question, with major differences between caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle. We are exploring this idea using a combination of neurochemical approaches and behavioural tests in rats (e.g. intravenous self-administration, conditioned place preference, intracranial self-stimulation, recording ultrasonic vocalizations).	Pharmacology and Therapeutics / Faculty of Medicine
Ma, Weiya Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	My long term research interest is to explore the mechanisms underlying the contribution of inflammatory mediators to the pathogenesis of chronic pain conditions such as inflammatory pain and neuropathic pain. Currently, we are focusing on elucidation of the role of injured nerve derived COX2/PGE2 in stimulating the synthesis of pain-related molecules, such as neuropeptides, growth factors and cytokines, in nociceptive sensory neurons. Hopefully, the data generated from our research will hopefully narrow the knowledge gap of understanding the mechanisms of neuropathic pain and will open novel therapeutic avenues to tackle this deliberating disease.	Dept. Of Psychiatry and Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Sullivan, Michael Email	Behavioural Neuroscience Pain Pathology	Compared to individuals without pain, individuals with pain will often display facial expressions such as grimaces or frowns, they might emit utterances such as moans or sighs, they might hold, guard or touch body parts affected by pain, they might exhibit an altered gait, they might move slower, they might be more likely to discontinue or avoid activities that might be associated with pain, and they might be more likely to be occupationally disabled. In other words, what distinguishes individuals with and without pain is not just how they feel but how they behave. Our research addresses the psychological, biomechanical and neuroanatomical determinants of behavioural alterations associated with pain. Our hope is that by increasing our understanding of motor dimensions of the pain system, opportunities for the treatment of pain might be enhanced.	Psychology
Mogil, Jeffrey Email Website Publications	Behavioural Neuroscience	Prof. Mogil is interested in nervous system mechanisms mediating the perception and inhibition of pain. Pain is a complex, subjective experience that displays considerable variability compared to other sensory modalities. In some instances and in some people, intensely noxious stimuli are not reported as causing pain, whereas others can experience excruciating pain from light touching of the skin. Some people are highly sensitive to pain relief from placebo administration, while others are insensitive to even high doses of morphine. Research is focused on uncovering and explaining sources of variability in these phenomena. We use a multidisciplinary approach ranging from molecular gene mapping to the development of new behavioural models.	Psychology, Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain
Daniel, Sam Email Website Publications	Auditory Neurosciences	Prevention of ototoxicity in: - Ototoxicity and ototoxicity prevention. - Middle-ear mechanics. - Hearing plasticity. - Auditory Brainstem Responses and otoacoustic emissions. - Middle ear model.	Director McGill Auditory Sciences Laboratory/Director Pediatric Otolaryngology
Storch, Florian Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neuroendocrinology Sleep and/or Circadian Rhythms	The role of the multi-oscillator circadian timing system in physiology and behavior: By employing genetic dissection strategies we want to i) explore the biological significance of peripheral clocks located outside the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and ii) test the hypothesis that the SCN is functionally compartmentalized. It is believed that circadian clocks in the central nervous system play important roles in the control of various brain functions including the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, locomotion, body weight, reproduction, and reward processing. We will rigorously examine these links by genetically manipulating clock function in selected brain structures as well as tissues and organs that are targets of neuroendocrine regulation such as the pituitary, gonads and adrenal glands. This research will likely yield fundamental insights in how our internal 24-hour timers effects the nervous system and may thus pave the way for new concepts to tackle mental disorders and other brain dysfunctions	Psychiatry/Douglas Institute
Steinhauer, Karsten Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Research in the NCL-lab focuses primarily on the areas of psycholinguistics and cognitive neuroscience. Current projects investigate the neural organization and temporal online dynamics of processes underlying speech and language perception, particularly using event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and other brain imaging techniques. This includes interactions among syntactic, semantic, morphological and (overt or covert) prosodic information in listeners and readers, links between speech and music processing, and issues of bilingualism and second language acquisition in adults (both natural languages and highly controlled artificial language).	Communication Sciences_&_Disorders / Centre_for_Research_on Language,_Mind_and_Brain / NeuroCognition_of_Language_Lab
Pell, Marc Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Vocal emotion processing in speech; nonverbal communication; social neuroscience; effects of brain damage on communication and emotion; cultural influences on emotion processing. Visit www.mcgill.ca/pell_lab for details.	School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Vollrath, Melissa Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Mechanosensation in auditory and vestibular hair cells, the genetic basis of deafness, hair cell regeneration and sensory processing.	Neurology and Neurosurgery
Lamarche-Vane, Nathalie Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	In my laboratory, we investigate at the molecular and cellular level how axons migrate and respond to the extracellular environment. In particular, we are interested to delineate the signaling mechanisms underlying the effects of the axon guidance cue netrin-1 leading to a coordinated and directed response of growth cone navigation.	Anatomy and Cell Biology
Saragovi, Uri Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Research in my laboratory focuses in understanding macromolecular structure function relationships, particularly in receptor-ligand interactions. We apply this knowledge to translational research and to experimental therapeutics. We have contributed towards the development of protein mimicry technology (reviewed in Nature Biotechnology, 10: 773; Immunomethods 1: 3-12). Using molecular design, biochemistry, and molecular biology techniques large proteins may be dissected to their smallest functional units. These approaches can be adapted for rational drug design and the development of agonists and antagonists. We developed mimics of antibodies (Science, 253:792), cellular receptors (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA), 89:5872-5876), and polypeptide growth factors (antagonists, e.g. J. Biol. Chem., 270:6564-6569; and agonists e.g. Jour. Neuroscience 16: 1308-1316; Chem & Biol. 12:1015-28). The small molecule mimetic ligands are better in vivo at imaging and localizing tumors compared to mAbs (Nature Biotechnology, 14:1120-1122). Structural studies of these small molecule artificial ligands demonstrated that they adopt the predicted configurations (J. Med. Chem. 43: 3541-3548, Jour Biol Chem. 273:23652-23658). Pharmacological studies demonstrated that these small molecule designed agents can be useful as drugs or drug leads. We have succeeded in using these agents in various in vivo models of neurodegeneration (cognitive impairment in ageing, glaucoma) (J. Neurosci, 24:8009-18; J. Neurobiol. 58:341-54) and of cancer (Cancer Res. 2001 61:694-9). In vivo experimental cancer therapeutic studies have shown that our approaches improve the therapeutic index of useful (yet toxic) drugs by many fold, and more importantly help to by pass drug resistance (Oncogene 23:3613-21). Small molecules can be used to identify the relevant sites on receptors that can induce a biological response (Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 21: 93-98. Molec. Pharmacol. 57:385-391. Expert Opinion in Therapeutic Patents 9: 737-751). Using the small molecule ligands we can carry out fine studies of receptor biology (Jour Biol Chem. 275: 9946-9956. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 96:4067-4072. Jour Biol Chem. 273: 34933-34940. Jour. Neuroscience 17: 6031-6037; J. Biol. Chem 276:1023-1029) such as studies of cross-regulation by different receptor activation sites, and biophysical analyses of ligand-receptor interactions. Recently we extended the concept of ligand mimicry to develop functional ligands of non-protein targets such as gangliosides. This is the first demonstration of a designed, synthetic, functional, small molecule ligand selective for a carbohydrate moiety, and builds on the recent conceptual breakthrough that gangliosides can be true functional cell surface receptors.	Lady Davis Institute
Ribeiro-da-Silva, Alfredo Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience Pain Pathology	Main research interest is the unravelling of the mechanisms underlying chronic pain states, both in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Methods used in his lab or by his close collaborators from the Centre for Research on Pain include: immunocytochemistry at the light and electron microscopic levels, animal behaviour, neurochemistry and physiology.	Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Anatomy & Cell Biology and Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain
Kobayashi, Eliane Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Epilepsy	(1) genotype-phenotype correlation in familial epilepsies; (2) multimodal neurophysiology, structural and functional neuroimaging in the evaluation of the epileptogenic network; (3) glutamatergic mechanisms underlying hyperexcitability in epilepsy and their relationship with seizure vulnerability and seizure intractability	MNI
Milner, Theodore Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	My research focuses on motor learning under normal conditions and after pathological changes to the brain with applications to rehabilitation of arm and hand function. I am particularly interested in how the central nervous system adapts control signals to muscles when the human body interacts with a changing physical environment.	Kinesiology and Physical Education
Chacron, Maurice Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Over the past few decades, genomic and molecular research has produced new understandings of the cellular mechanisms that contribute to brain function and behavior. We are interested in linking cellular mechanisms to behavior at the organism’s level via the processing of sensory information by neural populations. To do so, we use a well-established lower vertebrate model system that shows many similarities with higher vertebrates such as humans: weakly electric fish. Research on weakly electric fish benefits from easily described and stereotyped behavior, relatively simple anatomy, and well-characterized physiology.	Physiology/Medicine
Racine, Eric Email Website Publications	Neurophilosophy Neuroethics	The Neuroethics Research Unit pursues research to address the spectrum of challenges in neurological and psychiatric care such as providing quality patient information, diminishing stigma, and promoting respectful healthcare services. The Unit's research program aims at bridging these various challenges to identify practical solutions.	Neuroethics Research Unit, IRCM; Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University
Ostry, David Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Speech production and human arm movement are studied using mathematical models, robots and behavioral and physiological techniques; understanding how motor learning and adaptation affect sensory function in speech and limb movement.	Psychology; Center for Research on Language, Mind and Brain
Cayouette, Michel Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	Our work focuses on mechanisms controlling how neural stem cells generate neuronal diversity during nervous system development. To study this problem, we use the mouse retina as a model system and combine live cell imaging techniques, mouse genetics, and cellular/molecular biology approaches. Our ultimate goal is to reprogram neural stem cells to regenerate specific populations of neurons lost in different diseases or following injuries.	IRCM
Adamantidis, Antoine Rotation Program Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience Sleep and/or Circadian Rhythms	"While the functions of sleep are still a matter of debate and may include memory consolidation, brain plasticity and energy conservation, recent studies evidenced a role for sleep-wake circuits of the hypothalamus in the regulation of metabolism, cognition and goal-oriented behaviors. The hypothalamus is likely to play a role in these pathological conditions because it contains sleep- and wake-active neurons that are sensitive to metabolic factors (leptin, ghrelin, glucose). In addition, these neurons belong to neuronal circuits that modulate multiple components of goal-oriented behaviors including learning and memory processes and motivation for natural and artificial rewards. Thus, unraveling the functional properties (connectivity, dynamics and plasticity) of these hypothalamic circuits in normal and pathological conditions is a major challenge of biomedical research that will undoubtedly open new perspectives in the treatment of arousal, metabolic and cognitive disorders. In the laboratory we aim at understanding how the brain regulates arousal, metabolic balance/needs and cognition into appropriate goal-oriented (i.e., motivated) behaviors. In particular, we are interested in the identification and the functional characterization of neural circuits of the hypothalamus and the brainstem that share arousal, metabolic and reward functions in normal and pathophysiological conditions. Long-term perspectives envision the amelioration of health quality by significant improvement of sleep conditions and pathologies associated with sleep imbalance. Eventually, thus will lead to the identification of new molecules for therapeutic use in sleep, cognitive, as well as metabolic (obesity, diabetes) and related neuropsychiatric disorders. "	Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Pollack, Gerald Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Sensory physiology; neuroethology of acoustic communication. We study how the information contained in behaviorally relevant acoustic signals is extracted and processed in the auditory system, using acoustic signaling in crickets as a model system. The cricket nervous system affords the opportunity to study general questions about neural information processing at the level of single, identified neurons (i.e. neurons that can be recognized as unique individuals in all members of the species). We exploit this to study how specific neurons and neural circuits analyze signal features known to be important for behavior, such as sound frequency and patterns of amplitude modulation. Main techniques used are electrophysiology, behavioral observations, and various computational methods.	Dept. of Biology
Cooper, Ellis Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Development and Plasticity Synaptic transmission Ion channels	Research in the Cooper lab focuses on activity-dependent mechanisms that govern the rearrangement and function of synapses as neural circuits become established during early postnatal life. Our projects address 2 main issues: One is to understand how activity influences the formation of connections. The second project addresses diabetic autonomic neuropathies. Specifically, we are investigating the idea that these diabetic-induced dysautonomias results, in part, from a synaptic defect. Our experiments use interdisciplinary approaches that combine different molecular and cellular techniques, such as: electrophysiology, cellular imaging, quantitative PCR, viral-mediated gene transfer techniques, and involve a number of mutant mice lines	Physiology
Hyde, Krista Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience Autism MRI Auditory Neurosciences	Studies on the brain-behavioral correlates of complex auditory processing (i.e. music and speech) in typical development and in developmental disorders such as autism, in both children and adults. Methods used include behavioral, cognitive, and neuroimaging (structural/ functional MRI) measures.	Depts. of Psychiatry and Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University and Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute, McGill University Health Center
Brodeur, Mathieu Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	How the brain uses contextual information to find, recognize, and recall objects in a particular setting? To what extent the deficits of this process are associated with the symptoms of reality distortion and disorganization of people with schizophrenia? How the brain creates episodic memories (the explicit and conscious recollection of past events)? How a faulty visual perception may impact the episodic memory in schizophrenia?	Psychiatry/Douglas Institute
Charron, Frederic Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Development and Plasticity Neuroengineering	The brain is composed of billions of neurons that must connect with an appropriate set of targets to form the neuronal circuits that underlie brain function. Inappropriate wiring of these neuronal connections leads to abnormalities affecting the sensory, motor and cognitive functions of the nervous system. Our goal is to understand how axons find their targets during embryonic development, a process known as “axon guidance”. In addition, we are also studying the molecular mechanisms underlying brain cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis. We have discovered unexpected links between brain tumorigenesis and axon guidance which might help treat nervous system injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and brain tumors.	Molecular Biology of Neural Development, Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM)
Sjöström, Jesper Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Development and Plasticity	We investigate how information is stored and processed in neocortical circuits. We focus on Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity, a novel paradigm in plasticity research where the relative timing of activity in connected neurons determines whether synapses strengthen or weaken. We employ quadruple whole-cell recordings, advance optical techniques such as 2-photon laser scanning microscopy, and computer modelling.
Watt, Alanna Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Development and Plasticity Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	We are interested in the development of neuronal circuits, and the early patterned network activity that is thought to play a role in this process. Using electrophysiology combined with two-photon and confocal imaging, we study how network activity and other early events play a role in sculpting the developing cerebellum.	Biology
Kania, Artur Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology Development and Plasticity	Embryonic development, spinal motor neurons, axon guidance, neuronal migration, electrical activity and neurogenesis, dorsal horn and thalamic pain circuitry, calcium imaging, emergent properties of neural networks, neuronal survival	IRCM
Levitin, Daniel Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Cognitive neuroscience of music and auditory patterns, including memory, attention, concepts & categories	Psychology
Wintermark, Pia Email	Imaging Neonatal neurology	Dr Wintermark is a pediatrician and a neonatologist. Her research is devoted to the study of the unique profile of brain injury in newborns using advanced neurimaging techniques and bedside monitoring to measure brain perfusion, in order to understand mechanisms underlying these injuries, develop therapies for these injuries and improve the neurodevelopmental outcome of these newborns. Her lab includes both clinical and basic research.	Pediatrics
de Villers-Sidani, Etienne Rotation Program Email	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	The primary goal of the laboratory is to understand how brain circuits are shaped by sensory experience and behavior. More specifically, using intracortical recordings in awake behaving or anesthetized rat cortex, we examine the impact of various sound exposures and auditory training on cortical maps and behavior at different stages of the life cycle (early development, adulthood, aging). Our ultimate objective is to understand the role of brain activity in the emergence and remediation of cognitive impairments and to develop novel neuroplasticity-based therapeutic strategies to improve the cognitive function of patients suffering from condition related to abnormal sensori-motor processing---dementia, age-related cognitive decline, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, among other conditions.	Neurology and Neurosurgery / Montreal Neurological Institute / Complex Neural Systems
Shultz, Thomas Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	Artificial neural networks, learning, development, evolution, agent-based modeling	Psychology
Palmer, Caroline Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience Auditory Neurosciences	Brain-behavioral correlates of complex auditory processing, including speech and music. Sensorimotor integration of self-produced and other-produced feedback; temporal coordination.	Psychology
Berlim, Marcelo Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Clinical Neuroscience Neuromodulation	I am mainly interested in the study of the neurobiological basis and treatment efficacy of state-of-the-art neuromodulation techniques for treating mood disorders (e.g., repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation [rTMS], transcranial direct current stimulation [tDCS] and deep transcranial magnetic stimulation [DTMS]). I also use neuromodulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neurobiological/neuropsychological basis of decision-making deficits in suicidal behavior and of higher cognitive functions in healthy subjects.	Neuromodulation Program & Depressive Disorders Program, Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Titone, Debra Email Website Publications	Cognitive Neuroscience	Our lab investigates the cognitive and neural bases of first and second language processing in terms of both comprehension and production. We use a variety of methods such as eye movement recordings, and EEG. We study a variety of participant populations including healthy young and older adults, and people with schizophrenia. We are particularly interested in the role of individual differences in cognitive control/executive function for first and second language comprehension and produciton.
Tsuda, Hiroshi Rotation Program Email	Neurodegenerative Disorders Animal models (Drosophila and Mice)	Our research activities are to determine the function of candidate genes that are relevant to human neurological diseases with the powerful genetic techniques available in Drosophila and apply the finding to studies in mice. We are experts in exploiting the genetic tools and have done so extensively in combination with optical imaging and molecular biology. This unique combination of skills and knowledge allows you to contribute more significantly to the field of Neurolobiology.	Neurology and Neurosurgery/MNI/Neuromuscular Research
Zhang, Ji Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience Neuro-Immune Interactions	Our research programs focus on two major streams: 1) to investigate neuro-immune interaction in the context of chronic pain and to explore new therapeutic strategies by targeting both CNS glila cells and peripheral immune cells for an effective pain relief; 2) to understand aging dependent glial degeneration and the impacts of glial senescence on neuronal functions	The Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain
McBride, Heidi Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	We work on the molecular mechanisms and regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. This includes the processes of mitochondrial fusion, fission, and quality control pathways. The overarching question is how mitochondrial dynamics inflluences their function, and integration within more global cellular signaling pathways. These pathways then inform experiments that examine how mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in the development of neurodegenerative and other diseases.	Neurology and Neurosurgery
Kokoeva, Maia Rotation Program Email	Neuroendocrinology	While much is known about the molecular basis of hypothalamic control in mammalian energy homeostasis, neural circuit plasticity including changes in neural cell numbers has only recently been implicated in body weight regulation. We want to decipher the mechanistic underpinnings of long-term changes in body weight set points by exploring plastic changes in the brain circuits that control feeding. The long-term goal of my lab is to mechanistically understand why some humans can maintain their body weights strikingly constant over most of their adult lives while others are confronted with gradual or abrupt increases in fat mass. Our studies may thus provide new insight in the etiology of obesity and ultimately help to develop new strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related diseases.	Department of Medicine
Hepple, Russell Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Aging	Mechanisms of neuromuscular junction deterioration and myofiber denervation in aging muscle	RI MUHC
Woolley, Sarah Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Systems and Integrative Neuroscience	We study the neural mechanisms underlying the production and perception of social communication behaviors in songbirds. Using a combination of electrophysiology, behavioral analysis, molecular biology and computational methods, we investigate how males produce songs and how females use those songs to recognize individuals and select mates.	Biology
Baillet, Sylvain Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Imaging Magnetoencepahlography	Sylvain Baillet is a physicist with research interests in methodological developments for functional and structural brain imaging and their application to clinical and cognitive Neuroscience. Although his primary expertise is with MEG (magnetoencephalography) imaging, he also contributed new techniques for MRI image segmentation and inter-subject registration. He has also initiated new image analysis techniques for the early prediction of infarct growth in stroke patients, using diffusion-weighted MR sequences. His current research projects with MEG include real-time therapeutic imaging, the evaluation of resting-state brain activity and connectivity in the healthy and diseased brain, and the development of original data mining and visualization techniques for time-resolved brain image series. He has also great interest in disseminating his research through academic software: he is a founding developer of the Brainstorm open-source software project (http://neuroimage.usc.edu/brainstorm) for MEG and EEG imaging with MRI integration.	Montreal Neurological Institute
Farivar, Reza Rotation Program Email	Imaging	Techniques: MRI, microstimulation, chemical manipulation, multivariate analysis \|\| Topics: cortical information integration in vision, biomarkers for mild traumatic brain injury, visual neuroscience, methodoligcal developments (MRI coils, analysis & visualization methods) \|\| Approaches: non-invasive imaging in humans, comparison to monkeys, multidisciplinary approaches.	McGill Vision Research
Chudasama, Yogita Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Behavioural Neuroscience	"Our research integrates methods of behaviour, neuroanatomy and psychopharmacology to understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying processes of learning, memory and attention. Our work focuses on the executive functions of the frontal lobe and its interaction with the medial temporal lobe. We are particularly interested in how neurochemical pathology of the fronto-temporal circuitry can affect normal cognitive and emotional behaviour. Our current work focuses on: 1) new viral technologies to trace the transynaptic organisation of different fronto-temporal processing pathways; 2) integrating stereotaxic lesions and inactivations with precise behavioural assays to map the functions of prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe in cognition; and 3) measuring and manipulating the molecular and genetic composition of different fronto-temporal networks that form the basis for cellular and functional differentiation. "	Psychology
King, Suzanne Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Development and Plasticity	I have three CIHR-funded studies of children who were in utero during a natural disaster: The Quebec Ice Storm (1998), Iowa Floods (2008) & Queensland Floods (2011). Our objective is to improve understanding of the ways in which prenatal maternal stress influences fetal development in cognition, behavior, physical and motor domains. With help from several basic science collaborators, we will be studying the cascade of stress from mother, through placenta and umbilical cord to fetus using genetics, epigenetics, immunology, and endocrinolgy.	Psychiatry/Douglas Institute/Psychosocial Division
Munter, Lisa Rotation Program Email	Cell and Molecular Neurobiology	My research focuses on the molecular mechanisms leading to Alzheimer's disease, particularly on a group of newly described enzymes mediating "Regulated Intramembrane Proteolysis". This cellular pathway is likely also involved and other neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, autism or Parkinson's disease.	Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Marcoux, Judith Email	McGill University Health Centre Reaserch Institute	Clinical Neuroscience Traumatic Brain Injury
Rosa Neto, Pedro Rotation Program Email	Aging Alzheimers	The mission of our laboratory is to develop novel methodologies to advance the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease to a preclinical condition. We conduct multiparametric (MRI and PET scans) analysis of human data; In addition, we develop novel imaging biomarkers to quantify brain dysfunction and neuroplasticity associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Biomarker research utilizes scans in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease or post-mortem tissue of patients. Our laboratory is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec and Canadian Institutes of Health Research.	Neurology Neurosurgery / Douglas Researh Institute / Translational Neuroimaging Laboratoty
Stroh, Thomas Rotation Program Email Website Publications	Neuroendocrinology	My laboratory is interested in understanding the mechanisms which governsubcellular localization and targeting of G protein-coupled receptors to the cell surface. We study these phenomena both in cell lines expressing the receptors either ectopically through transfection or endogenously as well as in vivo in the brain. In our in vivo studies, we are particularly interested in the potential influence of endogenous rhythms such as hormonal secretion cycles and the cicadian rhythm on receptor localization in neurons. The goal is to understand the underlying mechanisms in order to be able to devise ways in which receptor cell surface availability might be manipulated pharmacologically to increase the efficacy of drug treatments thereby reducing the required doses and potential unwanted side effects. To study these phenomena we use a wide array of cell biological and pharmacological approaches with a clear emphasis on image-generatintg techniques and advanced microscopy.	Neurology & Neurosurgery/MNI/Complex Neural systems